06 June 2011

I’ve started chaining the Jack’s Chain blocks …..and I’m loving it! I’m making a table topper/runner. Then it dawned on me….it’s going to be a nightmare to finish it with bias binding the curves! But I want to keep the curves…so I came up with this method. If you have done needleturn applique and love hand stitching, this will work for you too .

First I lay the finished top on the batting, baste with long running stitches along the edges to hold them together. Then trim the batting 1/8 of an inch inside the curves.(That means the batting piece is smaller the the top piece.) Next, I lay the finished Jack’s Chain top on the backing fabric, right sides together. Pin in place. Trim the backing fabric with a 1/2 inch allowance.

Then, using whip stitch, stitch the two layers together as you would applique.

This how it looks like on the back. Leave an opening to turn it right side out. Remember to trim and cut notches where necessary. Turn the whole piece right sides out and slip stitch the opening close.

Top stitch all around the curves and quilt . I wanted to finish fast, so I just stitch around each hexagon….not that I am any good at any other quilting designs except straight line quilting!

After a good press at the ironing board, it’s now sitting pretty on my coffee table .

02 June 2011

Jack’s Chain. Stumbled upon this block here. You can also find it here.

Of course I have to do it the EPP( English Paper Piecing) way. This method of tacking the corners only is much faster….and the paper pieces lasts longer too. I don’t remove the basting stitches…it cannot be seen anyway.